Proper hygiene is important for every aspect of our lives.  With the onset and continuance of COVID19 everyone has become more diligent with their personal hygiene.   When we are young we 
are taught to wash our face, hands, body, and hair.   We are taught to brush our teeth at least twice daily and to floss to remove germs that can build to plaque, infections and bad breath.  We are taught manners as well; thus, the importance to cough into your elbow.  The importance of covering your mouth and stopping that cough from spreading and infecting those close to you. 

As we grow older and get busy...many of the things we learn as children go by the wayside.  We get in a hurry and may leave the bathroom without washing our hands.   Many times over the years there have been flare-up’s of Hepatitis A.  Usually, this happens at restaurants because an employee went to the bathroom and didn’t wash their hands before returning to the kitchen or to serving.
COVID19 has brought back to the forefront the importance of hand washing for ourselves; as well as others.  Take a moment and delve into the thought of exactly what types of things you do with your hands daily.  The things that you touch.  Going from one activity to another and depositing micro organism and on hundreds if not thousands of different items.  Think a little deeper at how often you touch your face, pick your teeth, brush at your nose, or itch your eyes.   Lots of germs.

Your ears are not absent in this transmission.   How many times do you itch your ear or reach your hand up to your hair by your ears?  Do you wear hearing instruments.  Studies have been done concerning the germs that are found on hearing aids.  Because the ear canal is dark, moist and warm bacteria and fungus can grow rapidly.   Bacteria such as; Coagulase-negative staphylococci have been identified.  Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and  Proteus species are also included on the clinical list of germs and hearing instruments.  Bacteria and fungus in your ear canal can grow rapidly due it’s moist dark nature.   Regularly scheduled visits with your Hearing Health Care Provider should be maintained so that they can monitor the health and hygiene of your ears.  
To keep your hearing instruments bacteria free, then it is important to clean them daily.   After wiping them with a soft paper towel then you can use an alcohol free wipe.  There are also professional sprays available for ear molds and hearing instruments available from your Hearing Health Care Provider.   Remember to wash your hands before handling your hearing aids and putting them in your ears.  Wash your hands after removing them in the evening too. 

There we are...back to wash, wash, WASH YOUR HANDS... for the sake of your own health and others around you. 

To Hear Better Is To Live Better!